Mayor Hart Persuaded To Pursue Re-election

TAMARAC -- Bernie Hart, who earlier said he would not seek re-election as mayor in March 1988, has changed his mind.

Hart said on Monday that he will run for a second, two-year term as mayor, but this time without the support of the Political Action Committee (PAC). Two years ago, he ran on a PAC-backed slate.

The decision to run for re-election was made after residents presented him with a 1,000-signature petition urging him to reconsider his decision not to run for mayor, Hart said.

``As far as I`m concerned,`` Hart said on Monday, ``I will campaign on my record with the City Council for the past two years.

``I`ll be running, (but) not with any group. My thinking and actions have been and will be independently arrived at in my best judgment, but I will welcome the endorsement of any sincere citizens groups.``

Hart will run against his political ally and former PAC running mate Vice Mayor Sydney Stein, who announced his candidacy for mayor last month.

Several weeks ago, Hart said, that he would run for Stein`s council seat and avoid a heated campaign with Stein.

That decision, he said, was one based on his friendship with Stein.

``I wanted to avoid any fighting, but I still wanted to be involved with city government,`` said Hart, former president of PAC.

Hart said his decision not to run on a PAC ticket is not a result of a political split from the group.

``I just don`t want to be a candidate for any particular group,`` Hart said. ``Otherwise, you get accused of being representative of one particular group, and I`m not.``

Stein said he is not looking forward to running against his old friend, but that he is confident of a victory in March. ``I think I`ll sweep,`` he said.